Art gallery wall definitely - either one very large dramatic artwork or a selection of black and white prints - could be some of your own photos enlarged, printed in black and white and framed in black. But you also need something under the stairs on the floor. I liked the plant suggestion, or perhaps a large basket or some sort of natural material holdall. How about a stand/table for umbrellas, bags etc?

Thanks Ruth, I started off with browsing house values around the area, and Homes.co.nz is a good trade me site -spoke to agents for some tips. And now Im calculating how much I need done to give it a wow factor which is inline with the neighbourhood similar house valuation and one that was sold as well.. Its a long process Im sure - but hopefully being realistic and doing my homework diligently and plan it well-attention to details....it will somehow give me something to think about. Attention to cost specially. I have an excel spreadsheet to work on which my kind accountant taught me.....Feel free to contact me -we can share some tips etc. theres still a lot to plan before I embark oh hiring a designer/architect-for major changes as it needs to be properly drawn and submitted to council. (My motto =I hope it works on this is HAVE A PLAN, WORK ON IT AND GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.) TIME AND MONEY SAVER. Next would be a hunt for a builder that you can trust and rely on= it will be a nightmare to find a really good one for reasonable cost. I have no contacts for now. And hopefully after this Im praying I will have enough savings for me and my husband to retire...... Cheers, Shy email : shy@strange.net.nz Peary Road Mt Eden Auckland 0221393223

I love the look of Tand G as the real thing or the 'James Hardie' NZ groove panels..........but also want my ensuite to look opulent. I am not having tiling anywhere in this room, which would be the easiest solution. Hence my dilemma..... I already have chosen the white 'tile look' acrylic walls with a feature 'marble' (narrow) panel in the shower alcove enclosure from the 'Atlantis' range. The alcove covers the complete width of the bathroom so is a feature in itself. I wanted to bring the 'marble 'feature' into the room if I could to enhance the opulence. The marbling is minimal veining on a white background so not too dramatic a feature. The obvious area is to use a matching 'marble' vanity top and/or a splash back (especially if have a china vanity top, which is the more likely due to cost). Where should the splashback end at the sides? I thought about taking the 'marble' splashback above the mirror to the ceiling thus creating a similar panel feature to that in the shower albeit wider but don't know how much wider it should be than the vanity. Also What then to do on the rest of the wall(s)? Just painted gib? If I used T& G or groove panelling I would want it to reach the ceiling. So do I put T&G on on all walls? The vanity wall has approx 1000mm 'strips' of full wall either side and the strips below the vanity and above mirror if only a splashback is incorporated. The opposite wall is almost taken up by window, radiator below, btw toilet and towel rail, leaving little wall to 'feature' and then the remaining wall is narrow (only 1100 left after door). These remaining walls could just be left as painted gib of course as really cannot afford to take the 'marble' panelling anywhere else in the room nor think where else it would feature best. 'Marble' Flooring is a possibility but it would need to be vinyl not porcelain tiles. Having written all this down I think I have talked myself out of T&G on any of the walls as the narrow room would become too busy and bitty but am still interested in what others think.

Um why ? I'd do a coffee table , and have the light maybe 1 metre or less from the ceiling . The second one I'd just balance the first one , so if the first one is say 2.5 metres from one wall , hang the other 2.5 metres from another wall . The lights are really nice -- you would want them to be seen , rather than highlighting a couch IMO .